Vol. 506 No. 6
32 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the progress, if any, made to date by the Central Fisheries Board on implementation of the water quality action programme announced in August 1997. [15964/99]
Steady incremental progress has been made by the Central Fisheries Board to implement the water quality action plan as detailed in my reply of 11 February last. In a further update on those various initiatives now in place, I can advise that I have again made funding available this year to the regional fisheries boards to recruit a team of temporary environmental officers for the critical summer months when risks to fish stocks and habitats are greatest. This proved an effective initiative on the ground last year and, together with the ongoing work of the CFB's environment co-ordinator and the inland fisheries forum on water quality which is to be shortly convened by the Central Fisheries Board, will contribute in a practical way to pollution prevention and awareness strategies this season.
